best Canon lens under $200????

[Hollie]

Okay--I DID IT!! I bought my 30D!!!! Happened a lot faster than I intended b/c of some circumstances...anyhow

What lens or lens combo would you recommend fro under $200 (US). I was just going to get the 50mm 1.8 but for some reason I can't find it???? I have a bit more to spend for a lens than I thought too (:)) so I thought I'd ask for suggestions. If I find the 50, I might get it just to have a little buffer in case I need something else soon (like a camera bag-LOL!)

Thanks for your help!!

[Hom74]

You can check out the 50mm 1.8 HERE (http://www.epinions.com/pr-Canon_EF_50mm_f_1_8_II_Lens)


Looking forward to seeing the other lens people recommend.

[Hollie]

Man, why couldn't I find it--that's so weird! Thanks for the link:):) Still interested in recommendations too:):)

[jencaputo]

the 50mm is the best lens for under $200! You can stop searching :)

[Betsy]

That's my plan, get the 50mm 1.8 and a nice bag.

DH said "Oh, man, what did I get myself into?" Little did he know buying the camera was just the TIP of the costs of this purchase!

[Lisa]

DH said "Oh, man, what did I get myself into?" Little did he know buying the camera was just the TIP of the costs of this purchase!

my husband said the same thing...getting ready to get my 4th lens!

[Hollie]

okay I bought the 50mm:):) I'll probably buy another lens in Dec (for Christmas) or maybe two--hehe. I don't know. But I'l be looking for ideas for my second lens too:):)

I might add that I purchased the lens from 17th st photo and they actually called me to confirm the purchase (I guess to make sure my card wasn't being used illegally). I thought that was pretty nice:)

[Kim2002]

I think the answer to your question really depends on what type of photography you plan to use it for. If you are doing sports type stuff, then the 50mm 1.8 is NOT the best choice. However if you are doing portraits and other close-up stuff where you want to shoot in low light (or without a flash) and a shallow depth of field is desirable, then YES this is the lens for you.

Can you give us a bit more idea of what you are taking pictures of?

[Hollie]

pretty much a good "all around" lens. No sports (at least not for a year or so-hehe) but I will be taking photos of my kids--indoors and out. I also like nature photography and macro. Some posed photos too. SO sorry I didn't include that info--DUH!!!!

[Lauren]

Congrats on the purchases!! You may not want to hear this, but the 50 is probably the only lens under $200 that I'd recommend. And if you get anywhere near as fussy as I've become, start saving now. :lol:

[Hollie]

Actually, I am GLAD to hear that the 50 is best-LOL:) That helps. I'll have a good chunk of change to spend at Christmas time too:):) By then I am sure I'll know more of a specific need too. Or maybe I'll want to start on getting studio lighting...who knows. Thanks again!!

[LindsayLou]

Congrats on the purchases!! You may not want to hear this, but the 50 is probably the only lens under $200 that I'd recommend. And if you get anywhere near as fussy as I've become, start saving now. :lol:

Lauren,
What lenses do you have? I just got the 30D and I have several lenses to go with it, but I can't decide what I want to leave on as the general walk-around lens. Right now, it's the 28-135, which I love, but it gets heavy after a long day at the zoo. ROFL!

[Lauren]

I traded in my old kit for the 5D, so at the moment I only have the 24-105L which is a very nice walkaround range. I will be getting the 200L in the next couple of weeks and hopefully the 100-400L by the end of the year. But if the 28-135 is heavy, don't look at any of those, especially the beastly tele. :lol:

Before that, my XT kit was the 17-40L, 60mm macro and 70-200L. A nice all round kit, but the 17-40 is too short to be considered a walkaround. It was my wide landscape lens (the macro was my favourite walkaround - small, light and incredibly sharp) so I wasn't bothered about that myself.

Before that (when I first got the XT) I went for the best budget kit for me, consisting of the 70-300 APO Sigma and 60mm macro as the main lenses, 50mm 1.8 and 18-55 kit for backup since I hardly used them. The macro stayed on the camera about 95% of the time, except on holiday which is when the Sigma came out. It's a nice (fairly lightweight for its range) tele at a pretty bargain price - great for the zoo, IMO.

[LindsayLou]

Thanks Lauren. I think it's not so much that the 28-135 is too heavy as it is that it combined with the 30D is heavier than I was used to before. :) I'll get used to it I'm sure. I had a difficult time deciding between that and the 17-85 lens made for the digital cams. I just hope I chose the right one! LOL!!

I also have the 50mm 1.8 and a 75-300 zoom (that isn't the greatest) that I've had for many years...since my film days. But I didn't like the kit lens with my rebel very much, so I decided to go with better glass this time around for my walk around lens.

[Lauren]

You will get used to it. Each of my kits gets heavier (and bigger) and I've adjusted, even with my small hands. :)

FWIW, both are generally recommended in the consumer walkaround zooms and I probably would've chosen the 28-135 myself between the two as the optics are fairly similar so it comes down to range. 85-135 is far more useful (to me) than 17-28.

I still recommend the Sigma for a buget tele but if you want Canon, a good match for the 28-135 is probably the 70-300 IS. Price wise, it's at the top end of the consumer range but seems to be highly recommended from those who use it. It's currently not being supplied by Canon because of a recall, but should be due back out soon. It's not much (3oz) heavier than your walkaround either.

[LindsayLou]

Awesome. Thanks for your suggestions, Lauren.

And I agree...I'll get used to it...it's just a change. Going from having a Digital Rebel (300D) with the kit lens for 3 years to a 30D with the 28-135 is just going to take some adjustment time. :D

[GingerT]

Hands down, the 50 m 1.8 was the best bang for the buck

[RatherBscrappin]

Oooh, isn't it exciting getting new toys?!! LOL

And yes, you certainly can't beat the 50m 1.8 lens for the $$, but I agree with Kim ... it's dead on for portraits, and in low light it's phenomenal but it does have it's 'soft' spots and I've found that if my grandkids move, even a little, I don't get that crisp pic that I so love!

My walk around lens is the Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 - dead on lens & sells for around $375, a little more than your budget, but perhaps under the Xmas tree?? LOL

[Kim2002]

The lens I just bought (and am eagerly waiting to try) is the Tamron 55 - 200mm f/4.0-5.6 DI-II LD Macro Ultra Compact Auto Focus Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon EOS Digital SLRs - with 6 Year USA Warranty. There is currently a manufacturer rebate of $50 with it. At Adorama it is $179, minus the mail-in rebate, makes it only $149. Not a bad deal. I'm not thrilled with the minimal F-stop range, but it's too pricey to get one with a broader variety.

[Hollie]

The lens I just bought (and am eagerly waiting to try) is the Tamron 55 - 200mm f/4.0-5.6 DI-II LD Macro Ultra Compact Auto Focus Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon EOS Digital SLRs - with 6 Year USA Warranty. There is currently a manufacturer rebate of $50 with it. At Adorama it is $179, minus the mail-in rebate, makes it only $149. Not a bad deal. I'm not thrilled with the minimal F-stop range, but it's too pricey to get one with a broader variety.

Okay, well let us know what you think after you've had a chance to play a bit. I'm interested to know what you think of this lens:):)

[Kim2002]

The lens I just bought (and am eagerly waiting to try) is the Tamron 55 - 200mm f/4.0-5.6 DI-II LD Macro Ultra Compact Auto Focus Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon EOS Digital SLRs - with 6 Year USA Warranty. There is currently a manufacturer rebate of $50 with it. At Adorama it is $179, minus the mail-in rebate, makes it only $149. Not a bad deal. I'm not thrilled with the minimal F-stop range, but it's too pricey to get one with a broader variety.

I got my Tamron zoom yesterday. It is HEAVY and I think I will need to keep my shutter speed at 125 or higher. But it takes great shots. I have only tried a few inside and a few outside of basic stuff. Will try with the kids later today.

[Hollie]

at 125 or higher with a max F/4.0--what are your other settings??

[Kim2002]

I would have to adjust the ISO. I could shoot at 1/60th, or put it on a tripod, but with my carpal tunnel I think shooting freehand at 1/125th would work. This is definitely something I would have to use in well-lit situations since no flash would be strong enough to go the distance if I have it at max zoom of 200mm.

[Angela]

I have the Canon 75-300mm USM.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004THCZ/ref=nosim/104-6592183-0931154?n=50239

Really great lens for the money!

[Lanne]

Hollie.. YAY for you I just grabbed one too.

I got the standard 18-55 and i liked that at first but it is limited. When i had a purpose.. it just didnt hold up. I picked up the 75 - 300 and a 50mm 1.8.

From all I could read/find/ask/reveiw and look at.. the 50mm 1.4 is fantastic and would def be worth looking at but if you are on a budget and starting out (arent we all having just bought the camera!)

the 50mm 1.8 is GREAT... plastic fantastic is how it is often referred to.. and it is .. but the fantastic part holds up too. I love the shots and the clarity I am getting. effortless DOF.. head over over to my blog and the photo a day section/ or link to Tina's blog. most of her wonderful stuff is done on a 50mm 1.8.

YAY FOR YOU! Enjoy it!

[Hollie]

Ah, thanks for your comments, Lanne:) I'll check out that section of your blog for sure. I love Tina's work too--she is amazing! I think I'll be looking at that zoom lens come December as well.

[mmy2vce]

I shoot with a Canon 350D DR XT with a purchased 420 ex flash and I can assure you that I'm a NOVICE and am still working in autmatic but the "expert" at Ritz told me to dump the lens that came with the camera and get a Tamron 18 - 200 as an everyday all around lens. I also purchased a Tamron 70 - 300 for my children's soccer games. My next lens is the 50mm...and a new camera bag. A photographer I spoke to this week carries a backpack with about 4 to 5 lenses and an extra camera in it that fits into a soft pack holder. Your bag might be your next investment!!!

I'm just now learning about the aperture information on the lenses, as you gave me some info on a previous thread. I'm eager to learn more about the len's.

[Hollie]

oh yes--a bag is high on the list, Marie!! I think I'll get that before any new lenses:):)

Thanks for the tip about the Tamron lens--that's a good range for walkaround (at least for me). I'll look at it for sure:):)